Environment California is working to protect the land around Yosemite National Park from industrial gold mining. Right now, there are 185 active mining claims within 10 miles of the park's borders. The organization's goal is to collect over 10,000 names on a petition to protect the land around Yosemite and present it to the Obama Administration and the Secretary of the Interior, Salazar. Over 5,000 signatures have already been collected. 

Sign the petition. 

Oppose Propsal to Bury Montana's Waters in Mine Waste

 

 

The Montanore Project in northwestern Montana hosts one of the world's largest Silver-Copper deposits containing in-situ mineralization estimated at more than 230 million ounces of silver and nearly 2 billion pounds of copper. In order to build the Montanore mine in Montana's Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, a mining corporation proposes to bury four headwater streams, wetlands and springs with 120 million tons of mine waste, as well as lower the groundwater by up to 1,000 feet within the Wilderness Area, severely depleting flows in the most important streams in the region for threatened bull trout.

In order for this to happen, the Army Corps must issue a "404 permit", so-called because it would be authorized under section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

Grand Canyon Protected 

from Uranium Mining

  

After a nearly four-year battle to safeguard the Grand Canyon, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced January 12, 2012 that the area surrounding the National Park would be protected from new mining for 20 years, barring any congressional action. Conservation organizations across the country applauded the Obama administration for taking action, while recognizing the important leadership role Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has played in protecting this national treasure. Learn more.

Tip from Our Readers: 

Sustainable Sourcing 

for Jewelry Materials

From Green Jewelry Student 

Jessica Hudson 

 

Despite increased awareness, the choices available for sourcing sustainable precious metals and gemstones for jewelry remain limited. I have started to build a list of suppliers that follow practices I consider to be sustainable. In my opinion, a sustainable supplier produces materials that are socially, environmentally, economically, and transparently responsible. My list includes suppliers that are making the initiative to give back to their labor communities, protect and conserve the environment, and are open and honest about their business practices.

Precious Metals

Gemstones & Pearls

Ruby Fair offers ethical rubies and sapphires ensuring that the miners' welfare, the environment and ecology of the land are taken under full consideration. Learn more.

For those interested in pearls, Kamoka is an excellent source for farm-direct Tahitian black pearls that are produced in a socially and ecologically way. Kamoka is built upon a foundation of respect in quality, each team member, and for the fragile ecosystems in which they work in, which pushes for the use of only the most environmentally sustainable methods of aquaculture. Learn more.

While I have provided a small list of sustainable suppliers, I am in no way implying that these are the only sustainable sources. As the jewelry industry continues to address its social and environmental responsibility, I have no doubt that more sustainable supply sources will begin to emerge. Please contact GJN with your suggestions for other available sustainable suppliers to be included in future issues.